Learn how medications can influence colon cancer

Drugs like aspirin and anti-cholesterol medication can impact your chances of developing colorectal cancer. We'll go over some of the interactions so that you can make more informed decisions.

• Catching colon cancer early is far and away the best strategy for "preventing" it. Guidelines call for a colonoscopy once every 10 years starting at age 50.
• For the procedure, you're sedated while the doctor threads an instrument with a small camera attached to the end through your rectum and colon, looking for precancerous growths called polyps. If the doctor sees any, he can cut them out, effectively "curing" a cancer before it begins.
• There is compelling evidence that regular long-term use of aspirin and other NSAIDs like celecoxib can prevent colon cancer. One of the most convincing studies involved more than 80,000 women who were followed for 20 years. Those who took at least 325 milligrams of regular aspirin twice a week for at least 10 years were 33 percent less likely to develop colon cancer than those who used aspirin less frequently. The same held true for nonaspirin NSAIDs.
• However, the study also found that high aspirin use increased the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, with the highest risk in people taking more than six aspirin a week.
• Don't start taking extra aspirin or any other pain reliever without talking to your doctor, as it seems that taking these drugs on a regular basis can pose significant risks.
• Taking a cholesterol-lowering medication such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, or pravastatin for at least five years could slash your risk of colon cancer nearly in half, according to a study involving about 4,000 people. Statins could reduce cancer risk by decreasing inflammation and/or by inhibiting an enzyme that's involved with cholesterol production and possibly with the development of colorectal cancer.
• On the other hand, statins have potential side effects and aren't right for everyone. You and your doctor should weigh the risks and costs against the benefits. Remember to visit your doctor regularly and don't be afraid to ask for a screening.

If you're at risk of developing colorectal cancer, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor about some of these drugs. Though side effects are always a risk, you should be able to work together to find the best option for your long-term health.